Come on skinny love just last the yearPour a little salt we were never hereMy, my, my, my, my, my, my, myStaring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer

I tell my love to wreck it allCut out all the ropes and let me fallMy, my, my, my, my, my, my, myRight in the moment this order's tall

I told you to be patientI told you to be fineI told you to be balancedI told you to be kindIn the morning I'll be with youBut it will be a different "kind"I'll be holding all the ticketsAnd you'll be owning all the fines

Come on skinny love what happened hereSuckle on the hope in lite brassiereMy, my, my, my, my, my, my, mySullen load is full; so slow on the split

I told you to be patientI told you to be fineI told you to be balancedI told you to be kindNow all your love is wasted?Then who the hell was I?Now I'm breaking at the britchesAnd at the end of all your lines

"Sea Lion Woman"(also"Sea-Line Woman", "See [the] Lyin' Woman", "She Lyin' Woman", "See-Line Woman", or "C-Line Woman") is a traditional American folk song originally used as a children's song.

The origins of the song are not known but it is believed to have originated in the southern United States. It was first recorded by folklore researcher Herbert Halpert on May 13, 1939. Many covers of this song has been done but but I'd say the most famous and well done by the amazing Nina Simone (one of my favorite musical artists) in 1964. Nina popularized the song as "See-line woman" on her album Broadway Blues Ballads.

See line womanShe drink coffeeShe drink teaAnd then go home

See line womanWay down you're doneBehind the lockAnd the rooster croaks

And then go homeAnd then go home

See line womanBlack dress onFor a thousand dollarsShe wails, she moans

And then go home

See line womanDressed in greenWear silk stockingsWith golden seams

And then go homeAnd then go homeAnd then go home

Empty his pocketsWreck his daysMake him love herAnd he flies away

He flies awayHe flies awayHe flies away

See lineSee lineSee lineSee line

Wiggle wiggleTurn like a catWink at a manAnd he wink back

See line womanWay down you're doneBehind the lockAnd the rooster croaks

And then go homeAnd then go homeAnd then go home

*note*There are different versions of the lyrics depending on who has covered the song.

A remix of the song was released in 2002 on Verve/Remixed compilation.

24-year-old soldier and amateur video director Aaron Melcher included the following note:

"This is a couple guys located in afghanistan, that re-made the music video by Lady Gaga....Telephone. Prepare yourself for a fantastical journey. Right now this is the temporary version, we have more scenes to cut, and edit, however with guys always on mission it is harder to film than you think."

The soldiers have not answered and of the pressing questions by the media.

While I personally do not find the video to be THAT good, I do find it interesting and bold of the male soldiers to behave flamboyantly. I love that these men have not let machismo get in the way of having some innocent fun. However, my assumption is that the media will do all they can to voice speculation that these gentlemen are gay. Although, there is no way to know who is gay or who is not in the video I think that it is a brave and wonderful move on their part being that the army is continually threatened by the dreadful "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

According to Aaron Melcher there is more to come so I will be looking forward to what they come up with next. I imagine resources are scarce for such an endeavor and it seems like the troops have done well with what they have.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH) was the target of a sexist attack when Republican Tom Ganley, who wants to take her place in Congress, funded a mailer sent out by the Republican party that said:

"Let's take Betty Sutton out of the House and send her back to the kitchen."

Yes, it is astonishing that anyone could carry this mindset. Sad, sick, sexist.

Rep. Sutton is asking the public to sign a petition to push Tom Ganley to denounce this comment, and for Medina County Republican Party Chairman Bill Heck, who continues to defend this sexist attack, to step down.

Although, as a feminist I am saddened by Ganley's comment I do not necessarily believe that getting the man to denounce his comment accomplishes much.

I did post the above link to the petition site as I do not oppose the fact that Rep. Sutton is standing up for herself. My issue is that when a person is offended via a sexist, racist, homophobic comment the result is usually a demand for the person or persons to take back what they said.

I'm just not sure how productive this is. I say this because when a person apologizes under the hot lamp of media scrutiny it is obvious that they are only attempting to avoid more bad publicity. Sure, sometimes we regret the things we say but more often than not a sentiment that comes from sexism, racism or homophobia is deeply rooted.

So, we may get someone to apologize and take back what they said but that does not mean that their beliefs are any different.

Remember when "shock jock" radio host Don Imus referred to the Rutgers basketball team as "nappy headed hos"? He was made to apologize but most likely Imus carries the same beliefs he always did.

I also recall that the Rutgers basketball team showed up on the Oprah show and various other news and entertainment programs explaining just how talented and intelligent they are by listing various qualifications. In my mind they felt they had something to prove and I think that offensive commentary from a racist radio host does not suddenly devalue who a person is. I believe it was not necessary for the women of the Rutgers team to show the world just how non-ho like they are.

The point I'm trying to make is that when we are so offended by others that we demand that they apologize we are not really accomplishing anything for the future of feminism. While not responding to oppressive language and thought may not always be the appropriate choice depending on the circumstances it can sometimes prove to be a more mature and bold move.

Just as I believe the Rutgers team needn't have toured the media with their proclaims of independent womanhood, I think that Rep. Betty Sutton needn't send out a petition.

By all means inform us of Tom Ganley's sexist views so that we can go forth and hopefully make educated decisions. Let us oppose Ganley. Don't make Ganley recant his statement. It won't be a sincere takesy backsy anyway.

It is my view that demanding a retraction is merely an angered response and is not well thought out.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Just recently I viewed a documentary from the UK's Channel 4 station. I've come to be intrigued by many of their featured documentaries and I found "The Perfect Penis" to be interesting and altogether saddening.

DISCLAIMER: THE BELOW DOCUMENTARY FEATURES FULL FRONTAL NUDITY. THE FILM ALSO FEATURES PENIAL SURGERIES WHICH ARE GRAPHIC. IF THESE IMAGES ARE TRIGGERING OR OFFENSIVE DO NOT WATCH. PERHAPS SIMPLY READ THE TEXT.

"The Perfect Penis" - Part 1

"The Perfect Penis" - Part 2

"The Perfect Penis" - Part 3

PART 4 is not available on YouTube

"The Perfect Penis" - Part 5

"The Perfect Penis" - Part 6

The documentary speaks to male insecurity and desire for dominance. One young man admits that he lives in an area where plastic surgery is abundant and he feels pressure to conform. Another man admits that penis size is about dominance for him. Another admits that he feels pressure to enlarge his penis as pornography teaches this (one of the many reasons I do not advocate pornography).

The women that are interviewed offer varied responses. Some believe that penis size should not be of much concern while others believe that size makes a difference in the bedroom.

We all have insecurities and I would like to point out that many of our physical insecurities are due to patriarchy. Straight and gay women alike are under pressure to fit into a mold that the media insists women should aspire to.

In the heterosexual community (and let's face it when it comes to sexuality most media is aimed towards/to please the heterosexual male) some men conform to the harms of patriarchy as they feel they need to compete with each other. Not only is it a competition over who is larger but it is a competition of status. Larger to many equates to dominance over women. More specifically it is assumed that any woman would prefer a larger penis and that once a woman receives this in the bedroom then she will be ultimately submissive to him, praising him and inflating his ego. It's not about connection ladies it's about a sense of surfaced empowerment. This kind of attitude makes me want to run.

For those who may think that with this post I am taking an opportunity to male/penis bash, please think again. It is my admiration of men, women and the concept of respectful community that I say these things.

For those who are interested, visit a previous posting entitled A Serious Look at the Penis, which speaks to how beautiful, weird, silly, complex, simple, humble I find the penis to be. I also mention that the way I view the penis often depends on the situation, person, and connection to the owner.

When a man views his penis as a power tool of sorts, the penis becomes ugly and dangerous in my eyes. A penis can become dangerous in my eyes not just because of the idea of rape or abuse but the idea of hierarchy or dominance.

That being said I also believe that we can celebrate our bodies including our genitalia. Rather than overcompensating to rid ourselves of shame why not take the time to teach ourselves to embrace what we have? Easier said than done I know, but it is possible. It would definitely be less expensive and less dangerous than penial enhancement.

I mention in my post A Serious Look at the Penis that, "I can only hope for the future of men that they can learn to see that their penises do not make them stronger. That they can celebrate themselves but also feel humbled by their own bodies."

I read it a year or so ago and found it to be quite interesting. The book speaks to how the penis has been viewed through the ages. I have found that things haven't changed much throughout time. But make your own judgment.

If any of you are interested, Channel 4 also has a documentary entitled, "The Perfect Vagina".To view the documentary and read my thoughts visit my post, "The Perfect Vagina - Documentary." The documentary speaks to how many women view their vaginas and how many are turning to labiaplasty to create their own version of the perfect vagina.

In the film sculptor Jamie McCartney presents his "Design a Vagina" project. It is with this project that he casts plaster molds of women's vaginas to display the diversity. To read my post on McCartney and his art visit my post, Sculptor Jamie McCartney and his Design a Vagina Project.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Slinkachu, is a street artist who’s based in London. “In 2008 I started the ‘Inner City Snail’ project, involving the decoration of snails that I find around London. After decoration, the snails are then placed back, free to go about their business in the city.”

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

I think about Columbine from time to time and when I do it always brings me great pause, but I am always aware of it on the 20th day of each April. It is the day on which the Columbine shootings occured, it is Adolf Hitler's birthday, (which is not why the event occurred on that day. It was originally set for the 19th. There is a question of a link to the anniversary of the Oklahoma bombing which took place on the 19th) Equal Pay Day, "four-twenty" which is the day that many pot smokers celebrate, and a former close friend's birthday.

I do not wish to trivialize other school shootings or shootings of any kind, but I must say that Columbine unnerves me more than any. I think it is because I was not much older than Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold at the time of the shootings. I too, was considered "weird" by my style of dress, bright magenta hair and "odd thoughts". Just like at Columbine (and I'm sure most schools) my school experienced a weirdos vs. jocks...or "cool guys" rivalry. However, there was much more than that involved in the motive of the shooters. In addition, what intrigues and saddens me is that the boys planned out the event for a year. In reading their journals (from acolumbinesite.com) the therapist in me very much attempted to empathize their misery and pick apart their feelings and actions. But then again...in some form haven't we all?

Today marks 11 years since the event. Doesn't feel that long ago does it? Rather than get into my personal views of the whys and why nots, I'd just like to stress the importance of empathy. Not just for the victims and the families but the shooters. Yes, the shooters.

Last year I read a book that had just been released on Columbine simply entitled "Columbine" by Dave Cullen. I had heard that Oprah was planning on airing a show about Columbine which included an interview with the author. At the last minute she decided to pull it off the air as she claims she reviewed the show and felt it focuses too much on the killers.

Well, I do think that after the event there was indeed much focus on the killers. But I think with good reason. Everyone had questions. I'd like to think that it wasn't just about America's intrigue with drama and mystery.

I do think that it is important to pay attention to the victims. To celebrate them and to honor them. The people who died, the ones injured, the families, friends, the community.

I'd also like to say that as sick as the actions of the shooters were, I think all hearts and minds might heal and benefit from sending some sympathy and empathy their way. Why so?

Why does someone build so much hate inside them? So much that they are willing to kill? I am sure there are a lot of environmental sources that can contribute. Perhaps even mental issues within these boys that contribute to their struggle or unwillingness to fight it. Theories galore. My point however, is that I think that it is such a sad notion that anyone could feel that sad and that angry. I can't imagine that anyone with that kind of emotion inside them can truly blame it all on outside circumstances. I can only imagine that much of it was aimed at themselves. The boys' journals are very telling. The boys have much in common but also seem very different from each other.

According to author Dave Cullen's findings Eric was a sociopath and Dylan was truly depressed and very much a follower.

I decided to read some of the reviewing comments of Dave Cullen's book on Amazon.com.One reviewer stated that they were a former Columbine student and felt yet another book on Columbine was just not necessary as all the community wants to do is heal.

Is this person right? Should authors leave Columbine alone?

Well, I think that film makers definately should have. Gus Van Zant's movie Elefant? Not necessary in my opinion. There are more like it, and I think it is glorifying the killers rather than giving us an open view to understanding. Might I add that the boys both hoped that a film would be made about them.

One reason that Columbine books are coming out at this time is that it has taken several years for information to come out. I do think books can be helpful if the purpose is to truly understand and to take preventative measures. I think books can be helpful for parents especially.

Columbine was tragic. Columbine is tragic. What Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold felt inside is a part of that tragedy. Let us not forget the victims but let us not forget the killers. Not in a sensationalistic way but let us attempt to find sympathy and empathy towards those who harm us. Perhaps that is the true road to forgiveness.

I do ask myself. If I were one of the victims if I would be able to forgive. I don't know. I often have difficulty forgiving people who hurt me. It's one of my weaknesses. But there are indeed victims of Columbine that have forgiven the killers and that is remarkable. If that's not inspiring I don't know what is.

Equal Pay Day was originated by the National Committee on Pay Equity (NCPE) in 1996.

Tuesday was selected as the day to celebrate as it is representative of how far into the work week women must work to earn what men earned the previous week. Because women earn less, on average, than men, they must work longer for the same amount of pay. The wage gap is greater for most women of color.

The wage gap exists, in part, because many women and people of color are still segregated into a few low-paying occupations. More than half of all women workers hold sales, clerical and service jobs. Studies show that the more an occupation is dominated by women or people of color, the less it pays. Part of the wage gap results from differences in education, experience or time in the workforce. But a significant portion cannot be explained by any of those factors; it is attributable to discrimination. In other words, certain jobs pay less because they are held by women and people of color.

Two laws currently work towards protecting workers against wage discrimination. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 prohibits unequal pay for equal or "substantially equal" work performed by men and women. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits wage discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion or national origin. In 1981, the Supreme Court made it clear that Title VII is broader than the Equal Pay Act, and prohibits wage discrimination even when the jobs are not identical. However, wage discrimination laws are poorly enforced and cases are extremely difficult to prove and win. Stronger legislation is needed to ease the burden of filing claims and clarify the right to pay equity.

How large is the wage gap?

2008 Median Annual Earnings of Year-Round, Full-Time Workers

All Men All Women $46,367 100% $35,745 77%

What can you do to help the effort? You can contact your House Representative and Senators to tell them how important fair pay is to you! Also, ask them to co-sponsor the current bills in Congressthat would help to achieve fair pay. You can find a list by state and their addresses at the Office of the Clerk website.

Urge your senators to support the Paycheck Fairness Act (S.182). The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee held a hearing, "Fair Share for All: Pay Equity in the New American Workplace" on March 11, 2010, with testimony about the Paycheck Fairness Act; see www.womenspolicy.org.

If you need more information on how to resolve a personal situation involving unfair pay, you can call:

Monday, April 19, 2010

I Feel Just Like A Child by Devendra Banhart - Live at "Des mots de minuit" french tv show with Jona Bechtolt & Sir Richard Bishop

I feel just like a childWell I feel just like a childI feel just like a childI feel just like a childFrom my womb to my tombI guess I'll always be a childSome people try and treat me like a manYeah some people try and treat me like a manI just they just don't understandWell some people try and treat me like a manThey think I know shitBut that's just itI'm a childYeah I need you to tell me what to wearI need you to help and comb my hairYeah I need you to come and tie my shoesYeah I need you to come and keep me amusedFrom my cave to my graveI guess I'll always be a childI need you to help me reach the doorAnd I need you to walk me to the store And I need you to please explain the warAnd I need you to heal me when I'm soreYou can tell by my smileThat I'm a childAnd I need you to sit me on your lapAnd I need you to make me take my napCould you first pull out a book andRead me some of thatCause I need you to make me take my napAnd I need you to recognize my friendsCause they're there even thoughYou don't see themThey got their own chair, plate, and a seatYou know I won't touch my foodUnless they eatFrom the roof to the floorI crawl around some moreI'm a childAnd I need you to help me blow my noseAnd I need you to help me count my toesAnd I need you to help me put on my clothesAnd I need you to hide it when it showsFrom be my daddy's spermTo being packed in an urnI'm a childAnd when I steal you gottaSlap me til I cryDon't you stop til the tears run drySee I was born thinking under the skyI didn't belong to a couple of old wise guysFrom sucking on my mama's breastTo when they lay my soul to restI'm a childWell I guess I'm always beA little child

From the Cripple Crow (2005) album

I believe this song is a cheers to embracing the genius of childhood. A wise and sometimes whimsical time when the grown ups think they know it all, when most often they are too jaded. And also simultaneously speaking to the condescending idea that adults must always believe, behave and be a certain way in order to be respected and considered up to par. As if to say, let us be children and don't you dare call me a child!

We all "people watch". There have been moments when I watch the foot traffic and imagine brains bobbing by. It seems that we are all just brains wearing an outer shell. However, intellectually I understand that we can mold our brains. We can re-wire. We can evolve if we chose to practice. We can learn new skills, quit old habits, realize new ideas and adapt.

The below video is of brain researcher Jill Bolte Taylor. I originally learned of this woman as she appeared on the Oprah show a year or more ago. She spoke of how she lived through and experienced her own stroke.

Taylor gives us insight into the inner workings of our two brain hemispheres and to their potential.

Jill Bolte Taylor has written a book entitled My Stroke of Insight. The book can be purchased here.

Alexa Meade is a 23 year old artist based in the Washington, DC area. She spent four summers interning on Capitol Hill and in 2008 was a press staffer on the Obama Campaign. After graduating from Vassar College with a degree in Political Science in May 2009, Alexa decided to pursue her passion for art. Her political past has taught her that what one experiences cannot always be interpreted at face value; seeing is not necessarily believing.

Alexa uses acrylic paint to paint bodies and other objects in order to give a different perception of reality.

In celebration of Record Store Day a documentary dvd has been released today. The documentary "I Need That Record!: The Death (Or Possible Survival) Of The Independent Record Store is a film by filmmaker Brendan Toller which speaks to 3000 independent record stores that have closed across the U.S. in the past decade.

The film features Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, Ian Mackaye of Dischord Records Fugazi/Minor Threat, activist and author Noam Chomsky, Mike Watt (and music legend of my home town San Pedro, CA) of the Minutemen, Lenny Kaye guitarist of the Patti Smith Group, Chris Frantz of the Talking Heads/Tom Tom Club and many more. The film also speaks with independent stores across the U.S.

For those of you who have never heard of this event, Record Store Day was created in 2007 as a celebration of the culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA, records stores outside of the US.

This is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists and music lovers to celebrate music and rarity that is a record store. If you have noticed more and more record stores are dying. Independent stores are becoming more and more scarce as well. Many seem content to download music or burn it rather than purchasing music in a store.

Downloading music is fine however I personally have always preferred the process of purchasing a cd. I love the atmosphere of independent music stores, rumaging to find what I'm looking for and the excitement of being able to take home what I have found. Additionally, I enjoy the artwork that often comes with a cd, being able to hold something in my hands and play it.

In celebration for the day special vinyl and CD releases and promotional products are put out by artists in and outside of the United States. Artists in support of the day also perform in store store concerts. Some festivities include cook-outs, meet & greets with artists, parades, djs spinning and moreMetallica kicked off the first official Record Store Day at Rasputin Music in San Francisco on April 19, 2008. Record Store Day is currently managed by Eric Levin, Michael Kurtz, Scott Register, and Carrie Colliton.

NOTE From the Record Store Website: A Record Store Day participating store is defined as a physical retailer whose product line consists of at least 50% music retail, whose company is not publicly traded and whose ownership is at least 70% located in the state of operation. (In other words, we’re dealing with real, live, physical, indie record stores—not online retailers or corporate behemoths).

Here are some quotes from musicians about music and record stores:

Henry Rollins

“I have watched independent record stores evaporate all over America and Europe. That's why I go into as many as I can and buy records whenever possible. If we lose the independent record store, we lose big. Every time you buy your records at one of these places, it's a blow to the empire.”

Jack White

“I think it’s high time the mentors, big brothers, big sisters, parents, Guardians, and neighborhood ne’er do wells, start taking younger people That look up to them To a real record store and show them what an important part of life music really is. I trust no one who hasn’t time for music. What a shame to Leave a child, or worse, a generation orphaned from one of life’s great beauties. And to the record stores, artists, labels, dj’s, and journalists; we’re all in this together. Show respect for the tangible music that you’ve dedicated your careers and lives to, and help It from becoming nothing more than disposable digital data.”

Neko Case

“I love the smell of them. I love that people actually care for and know about the music they are selling.”

Billy Corgan

I used to work at an indie record shop so I'll always have a soft spot for the places where I still go to find the most vital music, whether new or still hidden.

Paul McCartney

There’s nothing as glamorous to me as a record store. When I recently played Amoeba in LA, I realised what fantastic memories such a collection of music brings back when you see it all in one place. This is why I’m more than happy to support Record Store Day and I hope that these kinds of stores will be there for us all for many years to come. Cheers!

Ben Harper

“Independent record stores are much more than the name suggests. They are an international community and platform where music has an outlet and an opportunity to grow over the long term, in a way that sincerely connects with community and culture. They are also a magnificent mob of highly opinionated musical bandits which I am proud to call my pals! Bill, keep that indian ring shining for me. Matt, I'LL meet you in the morning for breakfast. John, we'll always have paris. Rhino.....straight outta Claremont!”

Nellie McKay

Independent record stores are aural cathedrals, havens for those who find music as much a spiritual endeavor as passing entertainment. Indie employees will go out of their way to help you find a rare or back-catalogued recording, commiserating over neglected artists & all-but-forgotten masterpieces. They offer discounts & suggest records they enjoy with genuine interest & enthusiasm. Indies embody mom&pop, individualist expression - they're in it for love, not to turn a huge profit or to bend popular taste to a uniform will. viva la indie!

Brett Netson (Built To Spill)

“The local record store is a cultural event. Every purchase you make , every day, every year, it is a rich cultural history in the making. Go down to your favorite shop and grab some coffee, a nice pastry and then head in to the record store for the ultimate recorded experience. Maybe see some friends. Next thing you know you just had a nice afternoon.

Go to one of those big box stores and get the full assault.

Bright sterile fluorescent lights and all that fake, old timey crap on the walls that drives home the point that this is an approximation of an experience. You are one of a million cattle herded in and out of those crapholes. This history can easily be rewritten. And you sure as hell won't talk to anyone there, cause everyone else is just as annoyed, alienated and lost as you are. And, as you get trapped in that endless parking lot it really seals the deal. I have precious memories of my favorite shops and so do many of my best friends. That's shared history man. And buying my first Velvet Underground record or Love's "Forever Changes" , or seeing my first "punk show" flyer, takes that whole experience deep into you. That lasts forever. That's powerful stuff.”

Chuck Berry

"Music is an important part of our culture and record stores play a vital part in keeping the power of music alive"

Ziggy Marley

"Record stores keep the human social contact alive it brings people together. Without the independent record stores the community breaks down with everyone sitting in front of their computers"

G. Love

“Independent record stores are where kids like me learned about the music that made them the musicians they are today. Independent record stores are about the love of records not the love of money!”

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

I was in a restaurant yesterday picking up a to-go order. I was waiting behind a guy and a girl who seemed to be around the age of 19 0r 20. For whatever reasons the guy did not order any food for himself however pulled out money from his wallet to pay for whom I assumed was his girlfriend.

Originally she did not order a drink with her meal but then at the last minute changed her mind. She then turned to her companion and stated shyly, "sorry". He offered a weak smile and paid.

Whether a man is happy or reluctant to pay for his female companion (not to negate what may or may not occur within gay relationships. I am focusing on heterosexual relationships for this post) I have never understood why we still expect men to pay for dates.

In my experience I have found that there are a lot of women out there who think that a man paying for his date is "chivalrous" or simply the way a man is supposed to behave. Where did this line of thinking come from?

I can only image that it stemmed from a time when women were not expected to work for pay. Men were viewed as the providers and protectors. Are we not past those times?

I think the expectancy that a man should pay for dinner is absurd. It places an unfair pressure onto men and is altogether sexist.

If a man meets a woman whom he deems attractive and wants to get to know her, why should he have to spend money simply for the pleasure of her company?

I personally am a big fan of going dutch. Even in my long term relationships I prefer to split things down the middle. If myself or a partner truly wants to pay, then fine. If we care to purchase one another something special, fine. My issue is when one person expects the other to pay.

For those of you ladies out there who expect or prefer men to pay your way, why not take a minute and ask yourself why this is so. Where did the idea of men paying come from? Who placed the notion in your head? In my mind it just doesn't make sense.

Unfortunately, those who insist men should pay are likely to find a man who is unwilling a cheap date or a selfish person. Again, I find this to be skewed thinking. Sexist thinking to be exact.

For those of you who have seen the video Telephone by Lady Gaga (feat. Beyonce) then you should definitely check this out. It's obvious that these kids spent a lot of time doing this. They got it down! They even plugged some of the shameless product placement that is in the first video. These kids definitely impressed me.

Help me understand the concept of the Stiletto Run. I was in the doctor's office yesterday and I found a random page from some magazine sitting on a pile of other magazines. Women in the UK were running in heels for a prize of shopping money.

I looked the concept up on Google and found that Buffalo New York is holding a Stiletto Run in June of this year.

Women may walk but many run. It is a charity run and the women are running for Ovarian Cancer. However the prizes are more monetary.

In Amsterdam a Stiletto Run is also held but not for charity. The winner will receive $15,000. Their motto is "shopping is a sport."

2007 Stiletto Run in Amsterdam

I don't understand why anyone would subject themselves to this. From the one loose page I read in the doctor's office I learned that some women run on their toes so as not to place pressure on their heels. I imagine it must be quite painful to run in heels. Not only is there a danger of a fall but a break of a heel.

I suppose the draw is that it is interesting to watch women attempt to run in difficult footware. I don't think I could participate in such an event despite a big prize or a contribution to charity. I'd feel put on display. I can't help but wonder if part of the allure of a race like this is that there is a bit of a humiliation factor. Isn't it a bit exploitive?

For those of you who are not familiar with the Westboro Church, they are a hate filled group. The are known for holding rallies in which they hold signs that make such statements as "God Hates Fags" and "Pray for AIDS." The church believes that AIDS is a blessing from God, that gay men and women are sinners and that 9/11 was also a blessing from God. As a Christian woman this particular group hits a nerve. Their views are heartbreaking.

This a group that will actually attend funerals of gay men or army soldiers. They raise their hand held signs and insist that God hates those who have passed.

What I found interesting about Womanist Musing's post is that it revealed that the KKK have just recently posted that they are not affiliated with or nor do they wish to be affiliated with Westboro.

I'm very curious as to why the KKK are so disgusted with the practices of Westboro as they themselves are a cruel organization.

Womanist Musing's linked to the KKK's website. I didn't know that's where I was being linked to initially but once I got there I decided to check out there FAQ (frequently asked questions) section. I was not filled with anger but sadness. Deep sadness that such philosophies exist within the hearts of human beings.

I pray for the Westboro Church and I pray for the KKK. May hearts turn.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Take Back the Night events are starting to brew. Many events carry similar practices. Usually a march occurs at night with vigils and speeches.

The term "Take Back the Night" came from the title of a memorial read by Anne Pride (former NOW - National Organization For Women activist) at an anti-violence rally in Pittsburgh in 1977.

The first known "Take Back the Night" march in the United States took place in San Francisco's Red District on November 4th, 1978. The march was put on by Women Against Violence in Pornography and Media. In the beginning Take Back The Night was in protest of pornography and rape.

I'm not sure when or why it happened but over the years the event became less about the dangers of pornography and soley about sexual violence. While I am very much in support of Take Back the Night I am curious as to why it has strayed from it's roots.

In my experience Take Back The Night seems to mean something different for everyone. Some may have felt effects of sexual violence directly while others may know others who have. Some may wish to support the event as a worthy cause.

These events occur largely on college campuses but are widespread. To learn more about the events visit takebackthenight.org.

I'd like to note that although TBTN seems to include mostly women, men are also welcome to support the cause. In fact I think we need more men supporting the fight against sexual violence. While a march may not be the answer it is an act of solidarity. If you are a man searching for ways to support this cause I'd suggest venturing over to Men Against Sexual Violence(MASV). At MASV you will find various suggestions in which one can combat sexual violence.

Sexual Violence is not just a "women's issue". We need the support of men.

About Me

I believe story telling is an art form and blogging is a medium in which to share stories and ideas. Within this blog I hope to cover a spectrum of topics. From the serious to the silly. Here you will read my views and inquiries about subjects such as feminism, other various socio-political issues, psychology, spirituality, sexuality, and general interests such as film, art and music. You will also be exposed to my obsession with cupcakes, tea, books, Hello Kitty, and quirky day to day journeys. I enjoy learning from others as I am constantly attempting to introspect, grow and evolve. During this process I will be jotting down musings on this blog. Pull up a comfy chair and a spot of tea and join me!